LETTER: Letter writer missed point

Editor,

This is in response to the letter, “Funds should go to S. Utah now.” (Letters, Jan. 21) The author perhaps needs to have a reality check on the two disasters that occurred. To this day, more than 225,000 people have lost their lives in Southeast Asia; the death toll of 166,000 in Indonesia itself.

Like the author, I offer my sincere condolences to people who lost their lives in Southern Utah due to flooding on Santa Clara River and the rebuilding of the habitat must be an uphill task for the state of Utah.

But, my friend is missing the point. It is not about the money, but it is about helping people in need. There are children who are orphaned by the calamity and might not even have access to food, shelter and clothes. Mothers who have lost their children don’t want to give up their hopes until they recover bodies of the children.

How often do you see different organizations at USU with diverse backgrounds working toward accomplishing a common goal: A goal of raising $100,000 as a university and distributing it to organizations chosen by the students belonging from the worst-hit nations. The money will be used to buy medical supplies, food and will also be mobilized for rebuilding costs.

I don’t think emotions come into effect only after witnessing the incident; it should rather be an empathy that we all as humans must have.

My letter, by no means is meant to be provocative. Had there been some fundraising going on for Southern Utah calamity, my organization would certainly like to help.

On behalf of all the organizations involved in this noble effort, I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who have contributed and helped.

Abinash Bhattachan